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But who cared in the moment, as that 0-0 draw detonated a unique sense of achievement and unleashed glorious celebrations which were to continue apace into the open-top bus tour and stadium reception a couple of days later...

Get in! A young Stokie is overcome with joy after Stoke draw with Leicester to gain promotion (Image: Getty)

SUNDAY MAY 4, 2008:

“It’s the best feeling I’ve had in football because it’s been a long, long time in coming and at times you think you’re never going to do it” - chairman Peter Coates

“To now be able to take this famous club into the Premier League, I cannot wait. I thank all the supporters for what they’ve done and perhaps they can now get the chairman a few beers so I can have a bit more money to spend” - manager Tony Pulis

“There’s a lot of emotional feeling around the dressing room and around the city. It’s a proud moment” - Andy Griffin

“I can’t celebrate too much because of being picked for the England under-21s” - Ryan Shawcross

We're up! Stoke players celebrate in the directors' box as they are feted by fans on the pitch below (Image: Getty)

“I’m ecstatic. People say it doesn’t sink in, but the way I’m feeling at the moment I don’t want it to” - Rory Delap

“As a midfielder, I will look forward to playing against the likes of Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Paul Scholes” - Glenn Whelan

“That’s definitely for my Dad. I just wish he was here to see it because I owe him everything” - Carl Dickinson

Carl Dickinson... about to be swamped by fans at the final whistle

“I’m a Man United fan, so I’m looking forward to playing against Ronaldo most of all” - Liam Lawrence

“We worked unbelievably hard and credit to the gaffer for putting the team together” - Richard Cresswell

“This is my best feeling in football. We worked so hard and that’s what made it so special” - Ricardo Fuller

“I feel very happy. I celebrate with an orange juice” - Mama Sidibe

Stoke fans swamp the pitch after the final whistle

“I’m a supporter and always have been, even when I’ve been away, and I was welling up a bit when I knew we were up” - Denis Smith

“He’s got the backbone of a good side that will play for him, but he needs to get some creative quality into midfield. I just wish I was still 24 and could help out” - Alan Hudson

“It’s not just for the supporters, but for the people of Stoke-on-Trent, to give them a nice, happy feeling because this city has been run down for a number of years with industry being decimated” - Gordon Banks

TUESDAY MAY 5, 2008:

“Next season we will be watched by a billion people in 200 countries every week. It’s a great opportunity for us all” - chairman Peter Coates

“This team and this season will go down in history. The whole city has come out to support the team. We have a job on now to make sure we fulfil all your dreams” - manager Tony Pulis